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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 28, 2014 11:57:23 GMT -5
I told ya I was going to the swap meet last Sunday, not much there in the way of rocks this time. One guy had an almandine garnet crystal (was thinking of you, Jan), natural shape but with a polish on it, that he found in the drawer of a desk that he had gotten from a storage auction. It was over an inch in diameter, but he wanted too much money for it - $42, and he knew nothing about where it came from. I passed on it.
What I did find was some cool stainless steel rings? bands? that could be used for displaying spheres. 
One of them was welded to a circular plate, and is engraved NICU "WELDER QUALIFICATION" So that's what they're for! Two of them were just loose, no plate. Paid $3 for the three. 
What I envisioned doing with them 
When we got home, we realized that we already had some of them 
strung like beads on a wire, hanging on the wall in the garage. Dang, I knew I'd seen them before somewhere. This is what happens when you has gots too much stuff! These came from a guy that sold us all the fasteners, scrap steel and other materials in his garage over 20 years ago. We also bought a lathe, diamond wheel grinder and a few other tools from him as well.
And purely for aesthetic value, I picked up this cloisonné strawberry poison arrow frog. No toxins to worry about, don't have to feed or care for it, and for $2, I can own an endangered species (kinda). Just have to knock the dust off it occasionally. 
The real deal, from Nicaragua / Costa Rica / Panama, AKA Central America. Oophaga pumilio (oo = egg, phaga = eat), previously known as Dendrobates pumilio. 
Lastly, I didn't get these at the swap this weekend, but got them some time ago. Topaz crystals. 
A whole ziplock bag full of topaz crystals. There were also a few small amethyst, citrine and peridot crystals, not shown in pic. Paid $10 for the bag. Some may be large enough and clear enough to facet, if I ever get that figured out.
Thanks for looking!
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Post by gingerkid on Aug 28, 2014 12:18:34 GMT -5
Really like your 'lickable' cloisonne frog and those are some sweet topaz xtals! Couldn't help but chuckle after reading you realized you had some of the steel rings when you returned home, but, they make very nice stands for spheres and glass balls, rockpickerforever.  They would probably look nice displaying specimens, too? Thanks for remembering me when you saw the polished almandine, but agree with you about passing on it. |
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2012
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Post by panamark on Aug 28, 2014 13:25:52 GMT -5
[/p]
The real deal, from Nicaragua / Costa Rica / Panama, AKA Central America. Oophaga pumilio (oo = egg, phaga = eat), previously known as Dendrobates pumilio.
[/quote] That is a neat cloisonné. These guys lives in our back yard in Panama. I didn't know they had changed the name. Wonder why the "egg eater" name? They do carry their eggs/tadpoles on their back sometimes to water puddles. Our neighbor had to get a new dog water bowl because the frogs started using the old one for a nursery. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 28, 2014 13:51:29 GMT -5
Thanks, Mark. Yes, I loved that frog from first site! The woman selling it had stepped away to use the restroom, so I had to wait a few minutes for her to return. In the past, I would have just come back a little later. But it seemed everything I was looking at that day appealed to many. When I'd look at something (like the almandine garnet!), someone would pick it up as soon as I set it down! So decided to wait for her. I decided to let her decide if I needed it or not. Thought I'd go as high as $5 for it (definitely worth that much), so was pleasantly surprised when she said $2. You've never seen anyone pull out $2 any faster than I did, lol.
Mark, I was unaware of the name change, too, until I went to get info on them online before posting. (I knew what they were, just wanted to get the facts straight.) Appears there are nine species they have changed the name to Oophaga, not sure how long ago that occurred.
Egg eating is descriptive of the tadpoles diet link.
"Oophaga, Greek for "egg eater" (oon, phagos), is descriptive of the tadpoles' diet. The tadpoles feed exclusively on unfertilized eggs supplied as food by the mother."
Interesting! And so cool that you have them in your back yard.
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Post by Pat on Aug 28, 2014 14:08:20 GMT -5
Excellent finds! Those sphere holders are perfect for that job, and the frog is a cutie. Never can tell what you'll find at flea markets or estate sales. There are some real treasures to be had for good prices.
The topaz crystals could be incorporated into a design for a jewelry piece. I've been collecting long and very thin dirty quart crystals lately. Going to flat lap them and incorporate them into something. I did that before with a long thin green tourmaline crystal in a broom casting pendant.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 28, 2014 15:57:12 GMT -5
Thanks, Pat. I love my froggy, he is so... artsy! I like crafts like that. I have a couple of decorative fish (read, dust collectors, lol), made in Mexico. They are ceramic, glazed and fired, with pieces of brass (like scales) on parts of them. If you want, Ill get a pic or two and post them. (Incidentally, both came from the swap meet, although purchased at least a couple years apart. I know the first one was $1, I think the second one was as well.)
I know exactly what you are talking about with using the broom castings. Hmmm, long and thin, you say? I'll have to see what I can come up with . |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Aug 28, 2014 18:38:13 GMT -5
A common weld test is to weld two pipes together while they are held together horizontal.
The welder has to weld at every angle from 0-360 as he goes around the fixed pipes.
I think they put those on the wall and have a welder do the 360 thing on the ring to a plate.
Then turn it around and weld a plate to the other side of the with the first plate sort of in his way.
conclusive test, those look like stainless, different metals weld differently of course. NiCu=nickel/copper, rods I suppose
The frog is cool. Lot of work went in that rascal. Is it glazed ?? My dogs catch a toad once, after looking rabid for 20 minutes they never touch one again.
But the water snakes sure scarf them up. That frog is beautiful.
You get the cool stuff Jean. So many rocks and minerals. Not out here.
Topaz are fine.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 29, 2014 0:53:49 GMT -5
James, the frog is cloisonné. It is made of brass, then they apply finely powdered glass, and fire it. It definitely has a lot of work in it. It perplexes me that people do not know the worth of things, let them go for a song. That's okay by me, I certainly appreciate them!
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jamesp
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Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,612
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Post by jamesp on Aug 29, 2014 1:40:26 GMT -5
James, the frog is cloisonné. It is made of brass, then they apply finely powdered glass, and fire it. It definitely has a lot of work in it. It perplexes me that people do not know the worth of things, let them go for a song. That's okay by me, I certainly appreciate them! Cloisonne...that sounds good and looks good. Looks like a fine finish. Good find, and sold for nothing. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 9:06:04 GMT -5
panamark - you are on the atlantic side are you? Strawberry dart frogs are highly variable in color, that is the highly sought after "Blue Jeans" morph. rockpickerforever - those are all really great. Love every piece Well except for one tiny topaz I wasn't fond of  lol
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panamark
fully equipped rock polisher
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Post by panamark on Aug 29, 2014 9:48:51 GMT -5
panamark - you are on the atlantic side are you? Strawberry dart frogs are highly variable in color, that is the highly sought after "Blue Jeans" morph. Yes, we are in the Bocas del Toro area, about 15 miles from Costa Rica. The Blue Jeans variety is the one we have. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 9:59:47 GMT -5
LUCKEEEEEEE I used to love hunting urban treasures but anything I would buy now I would have to sleep with it because every available space has rocks or rock tools in them. I could start hunting again and send it all to you Jean. Jim |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 29, 2014 11:11:18 GMT -5
Gee, thanks, Jim. With all the treasures I run across at the swap, in addition to all the rocks I already have, I wonder how long before I run out of run? But ya know, it's not the finding and keeping that keeps us all happy, it's the satisfaction of the hunt that compels us to keep doing it!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 29, 2014 11:26:35 GMT -5
panamark - you are on the atlantic side are you? Strawberry dart frogs are highly variable in color, that is the highly sought after "Blue Jeans" morph. rockpickerforever - those are all really great. Love every piece Well except for one tiny topaz I wasn't fond of lol Thanks, Scott. Was my description somewhat close?
 Which one tiny topaz was that?
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 29, 2014 13:54:09 GMT -5
I'm sure you've all heard of Swedish fish? Well, these are my Mexican fish, lol!
Sorry for pic quality, low light in house. Taken in front of analytical balance. (Someday, Scott, it will be yours, lol!) Got the big one first, at least five years ago. 
I just love the colors of the glazes, the brass, and the copper. Great craftsmanship! 
Twisted wire around fins and edge of head. 
And the little guy. Neither have markings of any kind on them. 
They brighten up an otherwise dark corner. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2014 15:04:30 GMT -5
panamark - you are on the atlantic side are you? Strawberry dart frogs are highly variable in color, that is the highly sought after "Blue Jeans" morph. rockpickerforever - those are all really great. Love every piece Well except for one tiny topaz I wasn't fond of lol Thanks, Scott. Was my description somewhat close?
Which one tiny topaz was that?
CLOSE? It was spot on! I was just adding yours is the most desirable form! The islands near Mark's house each have a different color of strawberry frog. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 29, 2014 15:12:34 GMT -5
Blue Jeans?
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Post by rockpickerforever on Sept 25, 2014 13:14:46 GMT -5
Went to the swap meet last Sunday. Saw another Mexican fish, had to add it to my growing collection. 
Had to get this one as well, even though it's not a fish. 
Obviously by the same hand, or at least shop. Other than these four, I've not seen them anywhere else. All came from two swap meets. I know, they are just dust collectors, but I think they are cool.
(And because you are dying to know, I paid $3 for both of them. ) |
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They would probably look nice displaying specimens, too? Thanks for remembering me when you saw the polished almandine, but agree with you about passing on it. 
lol
Which one tiny topaz was that?
